New Delhi: The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages, an issue with far-reaching social implications and sharply divided opinion. A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices SK Kaul, SR Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha is hearing the matter. On 13 March, the Supreme Court referred the petitions to a five-judge constitution bench for adjudication, terming it a “very important issue”.
Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriage live updates:
CJI DY Chandrachud: The durability of your submission will be determined by the submissions of the petitioners. We should examine the merits of the arguments. It will not be forgotten and we will hear from you later. We need a picture in the first 15 to 20 minutes. Let us first hear the petitioners. We cannot anticipate the submissions of the petitioners.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal says that the states should be heard in the matter.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta Informs the Supreme Court that the Center has filed a petition raising preliminary objections on the maintainability of the petition.
He says that the debate to be had is about the creation or providing of a socio-legal institution and whether this should be done by the forum of court or parliament.
CJI DY Chandrachud Says we will hear the Centre’s arguments on that at a later stage.